KUALA LUMPUR, (May, 2, 2016) : The hot weather due to the
El Nino phenomenon which is currently sweeping Malaysia is expected to return to normal by the end of
May, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department's National Geophysics
and Weather Operations Centre meteorologist Khairul Najib Ibrahim.
He said this was following the damp weather conditions with rain and thunderstorms occurring in the afternoon in most areas of the country, which is expected to gradually reduce the effects of the phenomenon.
"This condition (wet weather) involves a number of areas including the West coast of the peninsula, the western and central parts of Sarawak, and several divisions in Sabah.
"This comes as the country is undergoing a transitional monsoon phase where the prevailing winds are usually weak and bring rain with thunderstorms in the late evenings, and sometimes extends until early next morning, especially on the West coast of the peninsula," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday.
El Nino occurs when the water surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean rises considerably higher than average, leading to changes in air circulation patterns.
The phenomenon which has lasted since February, has also resulted in a number of states experiencing water supply problems as the water levels in several major dams have decreased.
However, Khairul Najib said the heat wave status for Peninsular Malaysia as of April 26, still showed relatively high temperatures recorded in the northern and central regions of the Peninsula, as well as the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak.
"Maximum temperature of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius was reported to have occurred in several areas including Gua Musang in Kelantan, Jerantut in Pahang, Jempol in Negeri Sembilan, as well as Mersing and Segamat in Johor.
"The temperatures in Sabah and Sarawak are still at normal levels, except in a few areas, namely Kota Marudu, Tongod and Beluran in Sabah, and Limbang in Sarawak," he said.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Resource Management and Engineering deputy director Khithob Ahmad said the drop in water levels was caused by the prolonged hot weather in the country.
"Rain only occurs in several areas in Johor, but rarely in catchment areas.
"Accordingly, SPAN will continue monitoring with water supply operators in the country to ensure there is sufficient water supply. We will also try to find solutions to overcome the water supply problem during the dry season," he said.
However, he said in the event of water shortage, SPAN will regulate the water supply in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, another person has died of heatstroke, raising to two the number of people who have succumbed to the condition so far this year due to the El Nino phenomenon.
The latest fatality was 23-year-old Wan Mohd Aliff Faisal Wan Ismedi, a trainee of the basic course for young volunteer servicemen, who died on Tuesday at a polytechnic in Jitra, Kedah.
The first death from heatstroke occurred last month. A police trainee constable, Azizan Ayon, 23, died in Segamat, Johor.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said six other trainees of the young volunteer servicemen course also suffered heatstroke and were treated as outpatients.
He also said that the health ministry as of yesterday recorded 200 cases related to the heat.
In Pahang, he said, there was a case of heatstroke also on Tuesday at an institution of higher learning which required intensive care while eight other people suffered from heat exhaustion following exposure to extreme heat during outdoor activities.
This group of students reportedly participated in a national-level endurance competition that tested their physical resilience.
"One case of heatstroke and two cases of heat exhaustion were treated at Sultan Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh, five cases of heat exhaustion were referred to Jengka Hospital and one case was treated as outpatient at a clinic of an institution of higher learning in Pahang," he said.
All these cases were among the 200 cases related to heat treated at government health facilities - 52 of them heat cramps, 126, heat exhaution and 22, heatstroke.
Dr Noor Hisham advised the people to postpone or restrict strenuous activities such as kayaking, cycling, marathon running and mountain climbing until after the heat wave had subsided.
"If outdoor activities cannot be avoided, they must shorten the period of such exercise or take longer rests and drink plenty of water," he said.
The public can find out about preventive measures and healthcare tips for the hot weather at the ministry website at www.infosihat.gov.my or www.moh.gov.my.
